Balancing device for centrifugal pumps and the like



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`Patented Nov. 16, 1926. .y

Unirse Asrarlezs A' Leo-asis PATENT OFFICE.

MAX SPILLIVIANN,` OF RICHFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WORTHINGTON PUMP 6c MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

lIBALANGINGr DEVICE FORCENTRIFUGAL PUMPS yAND THE LIKE. f

' Application led August 17, 1923. Serial No; 657,863.

This invention relates to means for balancing axial thrust in centrifugal pumps, but the invention may also be applied with advantage to rotating pumps and blowers, and

. to motors such as water turbines, steam and gas turbines, or other apparatus in which balancing of axial thrustis necessary or de-f sirable.` Briefly stated, the invention aims to provide an efficient and durable thrust bearing unit of comparatively simple construction, with Huid chambers for thrust in opposite directions, which chambers are in communication with pumping means operated by a moving part of the apparatus to which the bearing unitisapplied, whereby there is continuously circulated through each of such chambers supplies of fluid such as at all times to secure the desired result on axial shaft thrust in either direction.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part vof this specification, there is shown for purpose of illustration kone embodiment of the invention in a preferred form applied to a centrifugal pump of usual construction, and .this construction will now`be described in detail and the features forming the invention then be specifically pointed out in the claims. i

`In the drawings- Y Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device applied to a centrifugal pump;

Figure 2 is a vertical central section of the improved thrust bearing unit;

Figure 3is a section on the line 2-7'2 of Fig. 2, and

Figure 4 is a detail sectional View of the gear pump shown in elevation in Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, A indicates generally a casing of a centrifugal pump of any well knowny construction in which provision for balancing axial thrust in either direction is necessary or desirable. B indicates the casing of the present thrust bearing unit, which as clearly shown in this figure may readily be applied to pumps already in use. Casing B is preferably divided horizontally, as shown, for convenience in assembly of the arts and for accessibility, the upper and ower sections being bolted together in the ordinary way and also being so designed as to be readily bolted to a casing such as A enclosing a pump or other apparatus. Shaft 20 of pump A extends into the casing B and has mounted thereon two thrust disks 21 formed on a sleeve 22 keyed to the shaft 20. The bearing surfaces of the disks21 preferably and as shown face each other and work against Wear surfaces 23 of a suitable metal on an abutment 24 mounted in the casing B. For convenience in assembly, this abutment may be made in two parts, as shown, and when thus made is preferably split horizontally, loose pins 1 being arranged to engageregistering holes 2 in the upper and lower.

casing and abutment sections, which, in con- ]unction with' a central raised portion 3 formed on the abutment and entering a firmly hold such abutment in place. In case shaft 20 of the previously built pump or other apparatus is not long enough to eX- tend through collarv22 a suiicient distance to permit of the mounting thereon of a worm collar 5` for a purpose hereinafter described, a stub shaft may be secured thereto in any Well-known manner. If the shaft 20, however, is long enough tomeet the above requirements, but is too large to .receive the worm collar 5, it may be turned down to proper size. A shaft having a reduced portion 26 is shown, and obviously such reduced portion maybe a stub shaft or a shaft reduced in diameter as above described. The Worm collar 5 is arranged to mesh with a pinion 6 mounted on a vertical shaft 7 suppressure between the disks 21 and abutment wear surfaces 23, such disks are provided -with annular chambers 12, to each of whichA fiuid under proper pressure is supplied by the gear pumps, pipes 13, 14 communicating with bores 15, 16, respectively, formed in the abutment 24 for this purpose. Fluid pumped to the chambers 12 by the above arrangement works out therefrom around the throttling flanges surrounding such chambers and falls into the bottom of the casing B, while the fluid passing along the sleeve 22 carrying the thrust disks works out into the bottom of the casing-B through central opening 17. Pipe 18 supplies lubricant to the gears 5, 6 as the fluid works up shaft 7.

With this construction it Will be obvious that a continuous supply of Huid may be circulated through each of the disk chambers 12 under proper pressure.

For elicient operation, the device Will preferably include means for cooling the.

Abricatinguid is clearly shown in Fig. 1,

and obviously the cooling means may be constructed inany suitable manner and 1ocated at any desired point and be cooled by the pumped liquid -or otherwise. ln apparatus designed e-specially for the reception of the thrust unit, the suction may, as shown, be formed to receive cooling coils Without interfering with free flow of liquid through the suction.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be confined to theuse of gear pumps for circulating the fluid, but that reciprocating or other forms of pumps capable of being operated by a moving part of the apparatus or otherwise may be substituted therefor. It will also be understood that various other changes may be made in the details of construction herein shown and described while retaining the invention dened bythe claims.

eating With said chambers, and pumping means for continuously supplying pressure luid'to said chambers.

2. rllhe combination With a revolving shaft, of thrust disks 21 mounted thereon,

abutment 24 having Wear surfaces thereon With which said disks co-operate, chambers 12 formed between said Wear surfaces and thrust disks, passages in said abutment communicating with said chambers, a casing surrounding said parts and receiving lthe fluid from said chambers, pumping means mounted on said casing, and connections for continuously supplying pressure Huid to said chambers. v

3. The combination With a revolving shaft, of thrust disks mounted thereon, abutment 24 having Wear surfaces thereon with which said disks co-operate, chambers 12 formed between said Wear surfaces and thrust disks, passages in said abutment communicating with said chambers, a casing surrounding said parts and receiving the fluid from said chambers, pumping means mounted on said casing and operated by said shaft, and connections for delivering uid from the pumping means to said passages and returning the fluid from the casing to the pumping means. p

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

. SPILLMANN. 

